You just can't make this up: proving that Japan can outdo even the Russians when it comes to nuclear crisis "response", Dow Jones reports that the latest scheme to come out of TEPCO is to cover Fukushima with a giant tent. It is unclear if it will have a circus coloration yet. From DJ: "Giant polyester covers will soon be placed around the damaged reactor buildings at Japan's Fukushima nuclear complex to help contain the release of radioactive substances into the atmosphere, the plant operator said Friday. Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) will install the first cover at the No. 1 reactor, the focus of recent stabilization efforts, starting next month." This probably means that Japan looked long and hard at the concrete shell option and realized it was impossible, which is true. The problem is that by now the melted cores are not in the complex, but deep beneath it and the radioactivity is actively seeping directly into the soil. And since the polyester tent idea is doomed to failure, it is only a matter of time before the Simpsons dome is firmly in place over a ragion with a radius of about 20 kilometers. Impossible you say? Just wait.

Workers will erect a steel framework and place a giant polyester tent-like cover around the reactor building. Similar covers will be placed around units No. 3 and 4. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

A series of hydrogen explosions blew off the roofs and upper walls of the three reactors in the days after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out their cooling systems, triggering the overheating of the reactors.

The explosions scattered a large amount of radioactive debris in the area around the reactors. Workers will have to clear the debris near the No. 1 unit so that cranes and other heavy equipment can approach the reactor. TEPCO said it began shifting debris from the area around the unit Friday.

The damaged buildings have come to symbolize the severity of the nuclear crisis at the plant, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986.

The loss of the roofs and filters above the reactors has led to the steady release of radioactive substances from the complex, prompting calls for measures to contain contamination in the surrounding areas.

And won't be complete until the end of the year! The lack of urgency spectacularly demonstrates that they have essentially admitted that they will be unable to contain this disaster for the foreseeable future.

Reactor 1 experienced full meltdown, the building is insanely radioactive, they won't be able to fix the cooling system without killing workers in the process, they have no ability to contain the problem, these buildings are gigantic, the tent gag is a pathetic admission of total helplessness.

Polyester... its the new lead. Who knew? Why the hell did those Chernobyl "liquidators" wear FUCKKING LEAD SUITS when they could have simply worn polyester? Idiots. The Japanese are so smart. This shows.... (sarcasm off now)

Correct me if my assumption is incorrect: wouldn't the radioactive stuff just kind of just get past the earth's crust, if that, and kind of become...largely ineffective in an ocean of molten lava?

And then, with the whole spinny-earth thing, it'd—what would be "left" of it—just kind of end up floating around where-ever the earth's molten lava stuff flows? Maybe eventually just get close to the core of the earth, or something? I don't believe it's hot enough to "burn through" the earth.

That might happen, if there wasn't gravity. Assuming there's no explosion from hitting the water table (which is probably only a few feet under the soil in that location anyway), the fuel would burn down into the crust until the pressure and heat of the surrounding rock matched that of the fuel. It probably wouldn't even hit the mantle.

Actually, it wreaks a little more havoc before it reaches us. When it sinks the first 15 meters or so, it hits the groundwater and causes a violent eruption with geysers full of radioactive material (about half the size of a grain of salt) spewing out of the ground and into the upper atmosphere for the rest of the world to enjoy even moreso than the shit we have already received.

well they have the clowns of Tepco and the Jap Govt, only fitting they have the circus tent to go on-site at Fukinshambles (the artists impression above is inspired:)

thank heavens the Olympic Committee weren't impressed with Tokyos bid which led on being 'green and environmentally friendly' and possibly the last ever games before the Earth fried due to natures benign and beneficial airbourne fertilizer, CO2

Tokyo obviously didn't realise burning hydrocarbons wasn't either a real or immediate threat but their very own splitting Uranium atoms sited in easy reach of a half decent tsunami ...so why not build an Olympic Stadium at Fukinshambles rather than a circus tent, it sure is turning into a Marathon event loaded with fancy dress clowns, muppets and cartoon characters

Well, somebody had to say it, to stand astride the madness and command a moment of sanity.

There is a most wonderful use for Fuckushittinme. Bury Osama's body therein. Think of the new tourism it would attract to the site, aid in the reconstruction of Japan. Not to mention forward the Eugenicist's population management goals.

I'm not sure it's even an interim solution. Look at what they're going to have...

Hot steamy air rising off the spent fuel pool, trapped by a fabric barrier. Relative humidity probably near 100% inside. The steam has radioactive material entrained.

Now a cool Japanese morning...if they don't have massive filters and air moving equipment to dehumidify the interior of that "tent", condensation (probably lots of it) on the inside of that fabric seems likely.

Are they getting ready to build the world's biggest artificial, radioactive temperate rain forest? Will workers be able to get anything done with radioactive rain falling on them every time a gust vibrates the tent?

TEPCO is going to play up the polyester idea in its new directive to enhance revenue through attracting global tourism. Because their market research is telling them that 70’s disco has great appeal, they will be adding a dance floor with mirrored balls inside the tent. “Staying Alive” and “Disco Inferno” will be used as a basis for branded merchandise…